XITANG 西塘

An ancient water town located 1 ½ hours’ drive from Shanghai, Xitang is a poet’s retreat, a painter’s dream land, and a photographer’s paradise.

The town itself is ancient, probably thousands of years old, but the existing buildings and infrastructure can be dated back by 600 years.

 We were there in year 2015, and we spent two nights putting up in a homestay within the old water town.

As we were exploring the whole place we couldn’t help but felt like we had travelled via a time tunnel to the past. We were seeing what we had read in books and watched in movies, of scenes that were supposed to be in the Ming or Qing dynasties.

There were rows of shop houses which were of very ancient look and built. The whole complex comprises interconnected shops facing and separated by canals. Between the shops and canals were covered walkways about five feet wide. Arched over the canals were many stone bridges. Peach flowers and cherry blossoms bloomed everywhere. The narrow streets were paved with cobbles.

 Little boats powered by oars were seen ferrying people on the canals. The water in the canals looked clean and clear. Old people were seen relaxing on lazy chairs by the side of the canals. Young couples were enjoying tea under the cherry trees.

The whole place was like a picture. It looked so surreal. Were we in a dream?

 There were hordes of tourists, many were patronising the hundreds of vendors along the streets. The items being sold were foodstuff and souvenirs.

 We had all our meals in the water town. As I am not a foodie I would not comment on the food. However, the food outlet that impressed me the most was one serving wantan soup, duck meat soup and you-tiau.

 The sunrise and sunset views from the arched bridges were romantic. The golden hue cast by the low sun’s rays painted a rosy glow on all the roof tiles.

 Xitang after dark was another type of beauty. The glistening lights and reflections together with the very old structures combined to present an awesome scene.

 The Emperor Qian Long of the Qing Dynasty had visited Jiang Nan, which means South of Yangtze, seven times. Did he come to Xitang and put up a few nights here? I wondered.

As a photographer, I am glad that I have come to this quaint charming water town, which is just like a fairy land, and a place where time stands still.